SEMOITIC THEORY- ROLAND BARTHES

• Symbolic codes: The use of symbols to present ideas and concepts in a way that is understood by the audience eg Heart = Love, Cross = Christianity.
• Semantic codes: A connotation that we should understand as an audience. eg. Red and black is associated with horror media forms.
• Proairetic codes/action codes: a code that signifies movement and action is going to take place, eg. Someone pulling a gun from their pocket suggests they are going to shoot someone. Or the statue of liberty having her head in her hands signifies destruction and chaos in America.
• Hermeneutic codes/Enigma codes: A code that evokes mystery and intrigue for the audience and enhances the audiences need to watch/read on. eg, Tide advert, "Tide's got what women want!" As readers we want to find out more, what exactly is it that Tide has? Elements of mystery.
• Cultural/Referential code: A code that can only be decoded given the social and cultural context of the time. eg, Lil Nas X's Old Town Road features a trending dance style that can only be understood by people who are brought up in the 2010's.
• S  E  M  I  O  T  I  C  S

  This is the study of codes or languages and the signs from which they are made such as words that are written or spoken.There are a range of other languages or codes that we have learnt to read eg. nodding your head means yes in body language. 

  These codes are a system of signs(material objects or signifiers)which refer to something(the signified) governed by rules agreed between members of a culture.   
• Myths: Social constructed values - underlying ideological beliefs that are accepted as truths. Barthes believes media reinforces these myths.
• Myths are often reinforced to relate to cultural values and beliefs eg. in America, the story of rags to riches is very popular to see in American media.